27th March: Dave's Sightings Update.

Pic Of The Day.

Morning Drive

( Herold & Marka )

Leopard ( Female – Kuhanya ) / Motswari – Marule Pan

Lion ( Female – Xakubasa Pride – White Lioness ) / Vielmeter – Blue Waxbill Road

Afternoon Drive.

( Herold, Shadrack & Marka )

Lion ( Female – Xakubasa Pride – White Lioness ) / Vielmeter – Blue Waxbill Road

Elephant ( Breeding Herd ) / Peru – Giraffe Kill

Leopard ( Female & Cub – Argyle Junior ) / Argyle – Vyeboom Dam

Buffalo ( Breeding Herd ) / Mbali – Buffalo Kill Road

Daily Synopsis.

This morning was all about quality over quantity and I am always glad to see that form the basis of any wildlife experience here at Motswari.

It started early when I was woken by the monkeys calling at about 05:45 and I got up to take a look.  As I stood on my stoep I could hear the alarm calls of the guinea fowls behind my house followed by the gentle grumbles of a leopard in the drainage line.  I radioed Marka and Herold, suggesting that they check the soccer field or the northern end of our airstrip as the francolins were now also upset by the predator moving through the grass – their calls indicating that the leopard was moving West.  Although my tip-off led them in the right direction it was good tracking by Marka that eventually led to the sighting – Kuhanya found by the pan behind our staff village.

After this they received a call from the south that a white lion had been found and the cars all headed that way to see the white female from the Xakubassa pride.  Apparently the rest of the pride is further north, but she seems healthy and confident on her own.  Amazingly, we had a family in for one night and they managed to see the Big 5 as well as a white lion and of course a whole range of other wildlife – not bad for a 24 hour glimpse!

With new guests in the lodge in the afternoon all three drives returned to the lioness and found her resting in the same position.  A female leopard was then found with an impala kill and a playful cub entertained the drives with its attempts at feeding off the tough impala hide.  A hyena even joined the feast at one point and forced a lethargic Argyle Junior to climb the tree for safety, leaving the frustrated ground dwelling predator searching for scraps around the tree.

This is my last effort at plugging the blogging void and I gladly hand the baton back to Andrea who is back on drive from tomorrow!